Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Seattle, WA: $69.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Seattle, WA runs $69.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $145,328 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Seattle's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.1, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $62.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,198 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Seattle, the electrical engineer hourly pay is projected at $69.87 for 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $60.11. This advantageous hourly rate allows professionals in the field to thrive in part-time arrangements, such as 24-hour work weeks, making it a feasible option for those balancing personal commitments or pursuing further education. In practical settings like tech company hardware labs, defense contractor SCIFs, and semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, the range of salaries varies considerably. Entry-level electrical engineers can expect to earn around $48.90 per hour, while seasoned professionals in specialized roles may reach up to approximately $100.87 per hour. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing both a clear snapshot of compensation trends and the demand for skilled engineers in Seattle's dynamic labor market.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.90 | $391.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.48 | $435.83 |
| Median (P50) | $69.87 | $558.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.43 | $675.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.87 | $806.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Seattle
Based on $69.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.87/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Seattle, WA can expect to earn approximately $145,331 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,845. With a cost-of-living index of 111.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Seattle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Seattle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,794.82 | $12,111 | $145,331 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,676.89 | $7,267 | $87,198 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,117.93 | $4,844 | $58,132 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Seattle) | $69.87 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer (National Avg) | $69.00 |
| Electronics Engineer (National Avg) | $58.25 |
| Electrical Engineering Technician (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Electrical Engineers in Seattle, WA earn a median of $145,328 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.23% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 15.30% above the Washington state average of $126,043.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.87/hr = $87,198/year (purchasing power: $78,463).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $145,331/year (purchasing power: $130,772).
CoL index: 111.133 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Seattle grew 20.3% from $56.04/hr (2019) to $67.41/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.42/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem electrical engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Electrical Engineer in Seattle
For those considering a part-time career, working three days a week can yield considerable earnings, amounting to around $109,722 annually versus a full-time electrical engineer's salary. Many engineers opt for per-diem contracts, where hourly rates typically range from $90 to $170, but can escalate significantly for specialized roles. Notably, security-cleared electrical engineers may find contracts fetching between $150 and $280 per hour, while expertise in chip design can command even higher rates, often $200 to $400 for consulting work. The nature of electrical engineering work in Seattle means pay differs widely among sectors, with tech giants like Tesla or Apple offering competitive rates compared to the more stable but lower-paying utility firms. Engineers often face a trade-off between lower hourly rates with benefits and the allure of higher pay without them. As a practical strategy, when entering negotiations, emphasize your specialized skills and consider the overall benefits package, not just hourly pay, to maximize your total compensation.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for electrical engineers in Seattle. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov